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Yesterday members of the media traveled to Big Bear Lake, California to The Summit for Nadjib “Irondjib” Mohammedi’s open media workout in preparation for his July 25 IBF Mandatory match-up with Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev, for the WBO, WBA and IBF light heavyweight world championship live on HBO World Championship Boxing at the Mandalay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Below are quotes from Mohammedi and his trainer Abel Sanchez:

Nadjib Mohammedi: [About being given little chance to win] I’m not stupid. I’m not naïve. I’m unknown. That’s no problem. I like quiet. It lets me train, train, train. Training’s not work, it’s my passion. On July 25th I have a surprise. People will say, ‘Oh, my God.’ (more…)

Today in Dresden, Juergen Braehmer (46-2, 34 KOs) was reunited with former training partner and stable-mate Konni Konrad (22-1, 11 KOs), but far from a meeting between two old friends, the fighters were taking part in a kick-off press conference to announce their WBA World Light Heavyweight Championship fight on September 5 at the EnergieVerbund Arena.

Speaking to the media in attendance Braehmer revealed: “I have known Konni for many years. Not only were we in the same boxing-stable, we also spent a lot of time training together early in our careers.” From this familiarity, the 36-year-old southpaw knows not to underestimate the challenger from Cologne. “Konni is a true fighter – someone who will never give up. To win this fight, I will need to stay focused from the first bell to the last.” (more…)

The Purse Bid for IBF Cruiserweight Champion Yoan Hernandez vs. IBF Interim Champion Victor Ramirez has been canceled. They have agreed to do the fight on July 25, 2015 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Showtime is now available as a stand-alone streaming service on Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and the Roku streaming platform, and consumers can subscribe to the service for $10.99 a month.

Jason Bergman has pulled out of Saturdays fight with world rated Edmund Gerber in Magdeburg, Germany. Gerber will now face Lubos Suda.

Ahead of their world title fights on July 18, Scott Quigg and Anthony Crolla will perform public work-outs at the intu Trafford Centre in Manchester from midday on Friday July 10 – the ring will be located by The Orient Stage in The Orient food court.

The winner of Saturday’ WBA heavyweight championship clash between defending champion Ruslan Chagaev and challenger Francesco Pianeta will not have much time to rest on his laurels. The World Boxing Association (WBA) has already laid out the follow-up program for the world champion. Since Chagaev-Pianeta a voluntary defense, the winner must make two consecutive mandatory defenses. First, within 120 days of July 11, the winner must face Fres Oquendo, who Chagaev defeated by majority decision a year ago in Grozny. The winner of the clash with Oquendo then must face Lucas Browne, the official mandatory challenger. Chagaev stated, “I’ll fight anyone who is put in front of me. I don’t care who is facing me – whether it’s Pianeta, Oquendo, Browne, Wilder, Fury or Klitschko.”

If one had to explain what UFC welterweight Brandon Thatch’s nickname meant, the best place to start is the 11 pro wins that are all first-round finishes including back-to-back striking stoppages in his first two Octagon appearances. That right there sounds like a Rukus to me . . . Click here for more at UFC.com
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COMING UP NEXT: UFC 189 is live on PPV on Saturday, July 11 at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT . . . Click here for more

“In this sport anything can happen,” said Luis Collazo in the build-up to Saturday’s ESPN-televised world title challenge against WBA “regular” champion Keith Thurman in Tampa, Florida. “I’m just coming in here prepared for this fight July 11 and you can count on me bringing my best to the ring. I’m just ready once that bell rings, the tape’s out the window, everything is out the window. Whoever sticks to the game plan the best is who should come out victorious.

“I just have to stick to my game plan. I’m prepared to go out for this fight and stick to the game plan and do what I do…we just got to stick to the game plan and like that we can get the victory.”

WBO#14/IBF#15 OPBF super-middleweight champ Yuzo Kiyota (28-4-1, 26 KOs), 168, barely kept his regional belt as he survived a second round knockdown, fought back hard and finally caught Thailand’s Kajornsak Sithsaithong (13-8, 9 KOs), 168, en route to a TKO victory at 0:52 of the tenth round on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. Having failed to win the WBO super-middle belt from Robert Stieglitz via tenth round stoppage in Germany in July 2013, the muscular Japanese decked five wins in a row but we had never seen Kiyota in such a poor form. He looked sluggish and slow in earlier rounds, and took a standing eight count when Kajornsak sent him staggering to the ropes midway in round two. Kiyota attempted to utilize his footwork and keep his distance, but occasionally absorbed the shorter Thailander’s overhand rights. But Kiyota finally had the tide turn as he floored Kajornsak on the seat of trunks in the ninth session and swarmed over him in the eleventh, when decked him twice and flattened him with his face down to the canvas. The ref promptly declared a halt.

The contracts have been signed and on Monday night at the spacious Atlantis Ballroom in Miami’s Newport Beachside Hotel, boxing legend and former four division world champion Roy Jones Jr (69-8, 44 KOs) of Pensacola, Florida, and former world title challenger Danny Santiago (33-7-1, 19 KOs) of Ocala, Florida, finally met face to face to discuss their fight scheduled for August 29 in Philipsburg, St Maarten. Promoter Archie Keaton of AKE promotions spoke candidly about the negotiations the brought together the card titled “From Miami 2 St. Maarten,” along with presentations given to the dignitaries from both Miami and the paradise island in the Caribbean. (more…)

“I’m the boxer who’s going to beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.,” says Marcos “Dorado” Reyes (33-2, 24 KOs), who faces the “Son of the Legend” on July 18 at UTEP’s Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas. “I’m the one who’s going to take advantage of my opportunity of a lifetime. I’m the one who’ll show everybody that I’m a better fighter than him….I’m a 160-pound fighter, but I really didn’t care about the size difference. I just wanted the chance against him. I know I’m a better fighter than him. I can do much more than him inside the ring. I can take (a punch) at my weight, I can go toe-to-toe or I can box. I can use my legs, jab, keep busy in there. He can’t.

Reyes does have concerns about July 18, but they don’t have anything to do with Chavez Jr.

“I am worried a little about the judges if the fight goes the distance,” he said. “Maybe I have a bad decision go against me. So I don’t want it to go to the judges. I want to finish him before the 10 full rounds. From the first bell, I’ll be throwing punches and I will keep throwing punches. I will do what I have to do to knock Chavez out.”

It’s not known whether Floyd “Money” Mayweather will be defending a world title in his upcoming fight on September 12, but World Boxing Council (WBC) President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed that Mayweather remains the organization’s welterweight and junior middleweight world champion. “Floyd is an integral part of the WBC, has been champion 17 years in five different divisions, and is the fighter of the moment. He has spent several years in both divisions and we’re waiting for him and for the September 12 fight,” said Sulaiman. After his fight with Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather stated he planned to give up his belts to give opportunities to other boxers.

Some may look at a late notice championship fight as a disaster waiting to happen for the one who takes that opportunity. But if anyone is ready to challenge for the interim UFC featherweight title on a little over a week’s notice, it’s Chad Mendes . . . Click here for more at UFC.com
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COMING UP NEXT: UFC 189 is live on PPV on Saturday, July 11 at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT . . . Click here for more

Unbeaten Japanese prospect and the younger brother of the current WBO junior bantam champ Naoya Inoue, 19-year-old speedster Takuma Inoue (5-0, 1 KO), 114.5, impressively acquired the vacant OPBF 115-pound belt as he pounded out a unanimous decision (117-110, 116-111, 115-112) over hard-punching Filipino southpaw Mark Anthony Geraldo (31-6-3, 14 KOs), 115, over twelve heats on Monday in Tokyo, Japan. WBA#3/WBC#6/WBO#15 Takuma, whose amateur mark was 52-5, 14 stoppages, once won the national high school championship in 2011, and contested the newly crowned WBO 105-pound ruler Kosei Tanaka five times, winning twice through their hot rivalry while both of them were students. (more…)

Arthur Abraham (42-4, 28 KOs) insists he has all the motivation he needs to end his long-standing feud with domestic rival Robert Stieglitz (47-4-1, 27 KOs) in their fourth WBO World title fight on July 18 at the Gerry Weber Stadium in Halle, Germany, Following a memorable trilogy, Abraham holds the advantage with two wins to one defeat. Now, the 35-year-old champion is aiming for a conclusive third victory as he sets his sights on a super middleweight unification.

“The fact that this fight is for the world title gives me all the motivation I need,” said Abraham. “Every time I enter the ring, I give up my title, and only become champion again when the final bell sounds and my hand is raised. I must approach every fight with the same desire and will to win, and if I were to think any differently it would be time for me to hang up my gloves. (more…)

Former WBA world champion Anthony Mundine has sent an open letter to Floyd Mayweather, hoping to convince Mayweather to fight him on September 12 in Las Vegas.

My man Floyd!

My name is Anthony “The Man” Mundine! I am the uncrowned best athlete of all time! (check my resume😊). I was a rugby superstar before I quit at the top of my game due to racism & politics to take up boxing!

No amateur background. I wanted to be world champ… I fought fighters far more experience than me from the start. I got 6 losses (same as you 😜) from 53 fights. I had to learn on the job as I had no amateur experience.

A great fight is a perfect storm. Put two fighters together and you never know what you’ll get, but when both have the intention of making a statement against each other and the styles mesh, it becomes something more than just an athletic competition. When that happens, there’s nothing better in all of sports. Here are five of the best fights from the first six months of 2015 . . . Click here for more at UFC.com
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COMING UP NEXT: UFC 189 is live on PPV on Saturday, July 11 at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT . . . Click here for more

Australian 154 pounder Ben Capps (11-3-2) will clash with Mike Esgandari (6-1) over ten rounds with the WBC Asian Boxing Council title up for grabs at the Malvern Town Hall, Melbourne, Victoria on Friday. In other action, former world rated 175 pound Manny Vlamis (13-3-0) will be in action against Steven Ma (6-6-0) over eight rounds for the vacant state Victorian title. Also 140 pound Terry Tzouramanis (13-2-3) and Lewis Goodrich (4-2-0) will meet over eight rounds for the vacant state Victorian title.

Promoter Peter Maniatis said he was expecting a good night of boxing in what is promotion number 70. (more…)

After pound for pound king Floyd “Money” Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) mentioned Karim “Hard Hitta” Mayfield (19-2-1, 11 KOs) as one of his possible opponents for his final contracted fight with Showtime, the San Francisco native says is ready to step up and give Mayweather his first loss.

“I’m always ready to fight anyone anywhere,” said Karim Mayfield. “The fact that the great Floyd Mayweather has mentioned me as someone he wants to fight in September is music to my ears. It would be an honor to fight Floyd in Las Vegas. He’s done a lot for the sport and he’s arguably the best fighter to ever lace em up. My last few fights have been at 140 pounds and I know the extra weight would make me more powerful. I fought Francisco Santana at 152 pounds and gave him his only KO loss. I’m very powerful and comfortable at that weight. I know I would give Floyd all he can handle. My trainer Ben Bautista and I have a game plan we know will be successful against Mayweather. I’d give Floyd his first loss in a highly explosive fight.” (more…)

The WBO World Championship Committee has officially stripped Floyd Mayweather of the WBO welterweight title for failure to pay the $200,000 sanction fee, failure to advise the WBO of his position within the WBO welterweight division (despite requesting an extension) and failure to vacate the two 154-pound world titles he holds.

The WBO World Championship Committee is allowed no other alternative but to cease to recognize Mr. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. as the WBO Welterweight Champion of the World and vacate his title, for failing to comply with our WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests.

Mayweather may appeal to the Complaint and Grievance Committee within 14 days.

Representatives of Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury reached a last minute agreement at Monday’s purse bid at WBA Headquarters in Panama. The parties were pressured into making a deal when Russian promoter Vlad Hrunov appeared at the auction with what would certainly be a huge bid. Terms weren’t announced. Hrunov later stated that his bid was for $18,242,232 and he wanted to bring the fight to Russia. Hrunov told Fightnews.com that he is protesting the late cancellation of the purse bid, which he said was 24 minutes after the deadline. The WBA said the deal was reached with minutes to spare. Representatives of British promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren were also on hand.

Two of Zanfer’s best will go to battle this Saturday on foreign soil in quest for a world championship, Jose “Chon” Zepeda will take on Terry Flanagan in England and Francisco “Chihuas” Rodriguez will take on Filipino Icon, Donnie Nietes in Cebu City. Both Mexican fighters know these fights won’t be easy, but they’re confident they will bring back the belts to Mexico.

Zepeda (23-0, 20 KOs) and Flanangan (27-0, 10 KOs) will fight for the vacant lightweight World Boxing Organization (WBO) championship in Manchester, England, home of the man they call “Turbo.” (more…)

It’s all come down to this – the best fighter of the first six months of 2015. As always, the rule is that someone had to have fought at least twice to be considered for the list, but with so many shows, what used to be an issue is an issue no longer, as there were plenty of top performers showing what they do best in the Octagon . . . Click here for more at UFC.com
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COMING UP NEXT: UFC 189 is live on PPV on Saturday, July 11 at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT . . . Click here for more

WBA “regular” heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev (33-2-1, 20 KOs) and challenger Francesco Pianeta (31-1-1, 17 KOs) faced off at their final press conference Monday in advance of their world title showdown Saturday at the GETEC Arena in Magdeburg, Germany.

Here’s what they had to say:

Ruslan Chagaev: “I am thrilled to be in Magdeburg, it’s a very beautiful city. In the last few days, we’ve only done light training and regeneration. I had three months of intensive preparation for this fight, two months in Miami, the past four weeks in Hamburg. I’m 1000% prepared. We’ve concocted us a very good tactic. The fans will see a great fight.”

Francesco Pianeta: “I have great respect for Ruslan Chagaev. He’s achieved everything in the amateurs and the professionals. I had promised the championship belt to my son Luciano before the fight against Wladimir Klitschko. At that time it didn’t work out – now I’ll give it to him the night after the fight in the hotel. My trainer was satisfied with my performance in sparring and if Dirk’s happy, I’m happy.”

It is time for business. Marco Huck’s (38-2-1, 26 KOs) preparations for his upcoming fight are well and truly under way. The reigning WBO Cruiserweight Champion will take on Krzyzstof Glowacki (24-0, 15 KOs) from Poland on August 14th. It will be the first time that the two Europeans have fought on American soil, when they step into the ring at the Prudential Center Newark, New Jersey. And to ensure that defense number 14 will be as successful as his previous fights, the 30-year-old has chosen to hold his camp under the burning sun of Nevada.

“I have been in Las Vegas since June 25th”, said Huck. “I used the first weekend to adjust to the nine hour time difference, however my coach and I began working full on last Monday.” (more…)

Heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko will defend his belts against unbeaten Tyson Fury, the WBO heavyweight mandatory challenger, on October 24th in Germany. The two sides today came together and, at the last minute avoiding the need for purse bids, the fight was made. Dusseldorf will host the big fight and both giants are confident of victory.

“We’re very happy to reach an agreement with Hennessy Sports for this great heavyweight title matchup,” said Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions, promoter of Klitschko.

Britain’s Fury, who has been calling for a shot at Klitschko for some time, took to his oft-used Twitter account just minutes ago: “Viva Deutschland, I’m coming to rock your country in October be there or miss the best fight in heavyweight history, #letsgetthispartystarted,” Fury wrote.

Meanwhile, Peter Fury, Tyson’s uncle and trainer thanked Hennessey promotions and Tom Loefler for making the fight a reality.

Tyson had the last word, though: “10000000000-% @Klitschko is getting smashed,” Fury wrote.

New Jersey’s Michael “The Artist” Perez (22-1-2, 10 KOs) is ready for his lightweight summer clash as he will take on Las Vegas-based Ugandan Sharif “The Lion” Bogere (27-1, 19 KOs) this Saturday (July 11) at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in Los Angeles live on HBO Latino. We spoke with Perez about his camp and upcoming fight with Bogere.

“I’ve fought on big cards already. This is another fight, one of those that I have to be motivated. This is a big opportunity at hand,” Michael Perez told Fightnews.com.

Working with Robert Garcia in Oxnard, California, Perez held camp at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in preparation for Bogere, then relocated to the inland empire continuing his camp at the new Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Riverside.

“Robert is a cool guy, down to earth like a homeboy. That’s the relationship that we have but when it comes to training, he knows how to switch it on and off. It gets intense,” Perez said. (more…)

Top rated light heavyweight Andrzej Fonfara (27-3, 16 KOs), finished his victory tour through the US and Poland with his WBC International belt after his KO win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and now he’s started thinking about his upcoming fight against former WBO light heavyweight champ, Nathan Cleverly (29-2, 15 KOs).

“I wanted to fight Cleverly two years ago, so when my promoters suggested his name couple of weeks ago, I said yes. No hesitation whatsoever,” said Fonfara. “Nathan Cleverly is a top class fighter, a former world champion. You have to respect that. Fans like my style, which is basically ‘search and destroy’ and knowing that Cleverly also likes to mix it up, is not afraid to hit and get hit, nobody will be bored watching this fight. (more…)

WBA #5 ranked super flyweight contender Norberto “Meneito” Jimenez (21-8-4, 10 KOs) will be stepping back into the ring in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic next Saturday, facing countryman Angelo Munoz (15-3, 10 KOs). Jimenez is the only local boxer presently able to draw large groups of die-hard fans attracted by his boisterous, over-the-top personality and an unorthodox boxing style which has earned him his nickname “Meneito” – “the one who wiggles.”

Everything about the colorful 24 year-old boxer is unusual as he started out by losing seven of his first eight fights before turning his career around, developing a unique fighting style consisting of merengue dance steps, herky-jerky feints and throwing punches in bunches from all angles. (more…)

I’m a BJ Penn fan. As much as we’re supposed to be objective in this business, from the time I sat at Octagonside for his first fight against Joey Gilbert in 2001 to his final bout against Frankie Edgar in 2014, there was no such thing as objectivity when it came to “The Prodigy.” . . . Click here for more at UFC.com
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COMING UP NEXT: UFC 189 is live on PPV on Saturday, July 11 at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT . . . Click here for more